Isle of Man Assisted Dying Bill passes with overwhelming support, in victory for compassion

In a victory for choice and compassion, the Isle of Man is now on the path to become the first part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying as an option for its terminally ill, mentally competent citizens, subject to strict safeguards.

The Assisted Dying Bill won 70% of the vote at its Second Reading in the Tynwald, the Isle of Man’s Parliament, today (Tuesday 31st October 2023). The Bill, which was brought by Dr Alex Allinson, Member of the House of Keys (MHK) for Ramsey, passed with 17 votes to 7.

Dr Alex Allinson, MHK for Ramsey and a GP said:

“Today marks the start of real change in the Isle of Man to give terminally ill people much-needed choice and protection at the end of life. I look forward to working closely with Tynwald members, healthcare bodies and clinicians as this Bill progresses. Together, we will improve the range of choices for people dying in the Isle of Man.”

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying said:

“MHKs have heard the overwhelming call for change from the Manx people and voted yes to dignity today.

“This is a historic vote, one which puts the Isle of Man on the path to become the first part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying. It joins countries like Australia, New Zealand and the US by acknowledging that without choice, dying people suffer.

“This is a turning point in the movement for assisted dying, which is only going in one direction: towards giving dying people choice across the British Isles. Westminster must take account of the Isle of Man’s vote, as well as progress towards law change in Jersey and Scotland, and make time for the debate on assisted dying.”

There will be a further vote next Tuesday (7th November) on the next steps for scrutiny of the legislation, after which MHKs can propose amendments to the Bill. There will then be a Third Reading in the House of Keys before it progresses onto the Legislative Council. The Bill should receive Royal Assent next year, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying likely to be available in the Isle of Man in 2025.

Polling released this month revealed that two in three (66%) respondents in the Isle of Man supported the introduction of assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with more than half (53%) indicating strong support.

Today’s vote comes as Westminster’s Health and Social Care Select Committee prepares to report on the first ever House of Commons inquiry into assisted dying, launched in December, while separate bills are already making progress in Scotland and Jersey. The Oireachtas in Ireland is conducting its own inquiry into assisted dying, and a Bill is due to be brought before the French Parliament in December after a citizens’ assembly overwhelmingly recommended law change.

More than 250 million people around the world already have access to some form of assisted dying law, including in 11 jurisdictions in the US, all Australian states and the whole of New Zealand, where the choice is available to terminally ill, mentally competent adults subject to strict safeguards.

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For further information and interview requests with Dignity in Dying spokespeople, people with personal experiences and parliamentarians, please contact Ellie Ball, Deputy Director of Communications at Dignity in Dying, on 07725 433 025 or email ellie.ball@dignityindying.org.uk.